Sunday, October 19, 2008
'Spamalot' shutters on Broadway
Variety: "The 2005 Tony winner for best musical will shutter after 1,582 performances and 35 previews, with a final gross estimated in excess of $175 million. (Cume currently is nudging $160 million.)"
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13 comments:
The news that Spmalot is closing is a sad note for me. I've seen the traveling show and the NY located one, and found them both to be just a really fun time. I was surprised to hear that Spamalot was not a tourist show. Of all the shows I know of that populate Broadway these days, I thought that Spamalot would be one of those shows that would appeal to those who do not normally like theater since it has its roots in a cult movie.
with all of these shows closing, it makes me want to run to New York. I have never been a big monty Python fan, but it always seemed to me as if I was alone on this fact. I hope that all of these closings will be turned over to new more exciting shows. Maybe Bubble Boy??
I saw the tour of Spamalot, and found it very entertaining. I couldn't have seen it being one of those shows that lasts for much longer than it did on Broadway, though. I think three years is just the right amount of time for a show like Spamalot to be on Broadway and be delightful before it becomes obnoxious, so I'm glad it had a good run.
It is so sad to see all these shows closing. Producers, Hairspray, and Spamalot are all amazing shows and it is sad to think there time is up on Broadway. I agree with those who posted above me in thinking Spamalot would have a longer life. I saw the tour of Spamalot and it was amazing. Luckily all these shows should continue touring, but Broadway is going to need some new shows with all these closings!
I think the scheduled closings of these shows is pretty indicative of the current economical situation. One of the great ways to save money is to not spend it on high priced Broadway shows, and I think these shows are bailing before they start running into the red. I think the real question is what show is going to have the guts to try and fill the space for a long-term engagement.
What is really troubling me here is not so much that there are so many shows closing, although that is a bit of a worry, but the reasons that people keep giving. For example, last week when Forbidden Broadway announced it was closing, did they not cite Spamalot as one of the reasons for shutting their doors. I believe it was something about shows spoofing themselves. Now I believe that Spamalot is the perfect culprit of this self spoofing. And if that can close, it is clearly not why Forbidden Broadway is closing. I think the true reason behind all of this is the horrible financial situation this country is in. Perhaps the theatrical media needs to stop sugarcoating or making excuses and start laying the blame where it belongs. On whoever messed up this economy.
Wait! It can't close! I still haven't seen it! NOOOO!!!!
I drove to pick alana up from the airport last night, and I spent the first 15 minutes of the ride trying to find spamalot in my ipod. It was really dangerous. I finally found it, but it was under Original Cast Recording. Unhelpful.
I called this announcement in a previous blog comment, and I'm really not surprised to hear this news. Although we don't really acknowledge it, there actually is a lot of new stuff coming into New York, and there has been a loss of spaces to put the shows in. This probably won't be the last closing we hear about over the next few months (Avenue Q most likely, as great as it is) to make room for more shows along Broadway.
I saw the original production of SPAMALOT and thought it was hilarious. However its the kind of show that provides "cheap" laughs. that is to say the show doesn't ask you to think very deeply. That means the entertainment aspect of the show wears out quickly and the lack of thought provoking material allows it to fall apart. I still enjoyed the show and love entertaining shows and this is a great length for a run. I just regret that I couldn't see it twice.
I was lucky enough to see the original production of this show and was nearly on the floor for most of the production. However, when I saw it again on tour it did not have the same effect. [Now this might be because of the cast, but…] This is the kind of show that is hilarious on the surface, but does not go much deeper. I am still surprised that it did not last longer than it did.
I am absolutely devastated that Spamalot is closing. I think that it is a very clever show and, like many, was laughing my head off. While I love the show, I am not surprised that it is closing. Like someone (I think it was Michael) said, it is a show that provides "cheap laughs." I am sure that there are many great shows waiting to take the place of the ones that have closed (or are closing).
I think that it is partly the result of the economic situation in which the country finds itself. People just don't have the money to spend on B'Way theater tickets, and while the hit has not arrived in B'Way yet, it will in the next couple of months.
Spamalot had a good run. I never saw it on Broadway, but I saw it once in Pittsburgh and once in Albuquerque (the Pittsburgh tour was wayyyy better). I hope this encourages Eric Idle to do more musical theater...maybe Life of Brian next? If Webber has Jesus Christ Superstar I don't see why not.
I saw Spamalot right after it opened in NY. I was standing out in like to buy tickets and I saw a group of hands outside smoking. I went over to talk to them, said I was a design student and they offered me a backstage tour before the show.
It was really cool to be in the Shuppert theatre, and I actually met Tim Curry while I was there.
Then, when I finally got tickets, I went to sit in my seat, right next to Steven Schwartz.
That being said, I was completely underwhelmed by the show. It was uninteresting, un-inventive, and did nothing but capitalize on the cult success of the movie. I'm surprised it lasted this long on Broadway.
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